Megan Angelina Webbley, 31, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29. Specifically, she died of an overdose, finally losing her battle with addiction. She was in Manchester, N.H., seeking treatment for her addiction. We have no clear picture of what went wrong. Megan leaves behind her mother, Dorothy Provenzano, of Boca Raton, Fla.; her father, Edwin Webbley, of Middlebury, Vt.; and her brother, Michael Henderson, of Los Angeles, Calif.; as well as many loving cousins, aunts and uncles. She also left behind four beautiful children who were collectively the light of her dark life.
Though shadowed by opiate addiction, Megan enjoyed a big smile and an infectious laugh. She loved all kinds of music, dancing and doing her makeup. Empathetic in the extreme, she was the underdog’s biggest advocate. And against all circumstances, when she could be, she was a loving, gentle and doting mother. Just last year, she spent a few hours in the pool with all four kids (the youngest has since been adopted by a loving family), and it was a rollicking, madcap outing featuring a waterslide and peals of laughter. It was at that point when she was the happiest we had seen her in years.
Megan grew up in St. Albans and Georgia, Vt., participating in dance and swimming. She proved to be an adventuresome reader and a fearless jumper off cliffs. But on July 1, 2005, she was once again at a cliff on Eagle Bay in Burlington. I was sitting at my desk on the first day of a new job, and a Vermont State Policeman called to tell me to drive to the emergency room at the University of Vermont Medical Center. I was told that she had been pushed off the cliffs and hit the rocks below … with her face. Having been rescued by a man in a kayak and EMTs, she was being stitched up, and her jaw was wired shut. They suspected a TBI, but when they prescribed her liberal doses of opiates, she lost control of her life. She would be in and out of rehab — and jail — for the next 14 years.
To editorialize, I am hoping that the Department for Children and Families rethinks its mission to be the punisher of addicted mothers, the separator of families and the arbiter of children’s futures, and instead embrace a mission of enhanced rehabilitation. We, as a state, are overwhelmed by addiction. We have almost nowhere to turn. I encourage enhanced funding for treatment in general and using DCF as a gateway for mothers with addiction to get help. Because, as one would guess, once the mother is separated from her children, desperation sets in, even with the brightest and most determined of mothers — and Megan Angelina Webbley was that bright and determined mother … with a fatal disease and a dearth of treatment options.
—Submitted by Megan’s father
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This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2019.
So very brave & selfless of you to make Meghans untimely and tragic death clear to those of us who have dealt with and continue to suffer the anguish of our adult childrens addictions. Incarceration without rehabilitation is wrong for these struggling souls. This toxic, degrading, punitive environment does so much to perpetuate their already low self image, destructive behaviors and depression. Removing children from the afflicted parent removes their reasons to recover and to live. I am so very sorry for your loss. I fear, daily, the possibilities of losing both of my sons and feeling even more keenly your indescribable grieving for your beautiful daughter. You have my compassion, empathy and prayers at this most difficult time and beyond.
We need to look at the roots of this, see why so many of our young folks need to escape. Give support and direction. And two hands working accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer – we need to work for this!
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Addiction is so tragic, and I can feel your pain when reading this obituary. I hope you will find peace and some comfort in those great memories, and I hope the raw truth you’ve written will help someone who is struggling. Sending you hugs. You are not alone in your grief.
My prayers for the loved ones of this precious lady. Thank you to her family for being open and honest. Your courage helps end the stigma that causes so many to hide in shame.
My heart goes out to all of Megans family and friends. I wish things were different but thank you for making the brave decision to continue to educate through Megans obituary. Our country can do better for our citizens. Ignorance and denying isnt helping anyone. Rest In Peace sweet funny loving Megan. I hope her family and friends take time to rest and try to heal. Advocate and educate! Hey U.S., when we know better we do better!
Broke my heart and i totally agree with the idea of children advocates being more involved in building families then tearing them apart. A sick mother needs her children as much a sick child needs thier mother.
My heart breaks. I continue the work toward a solution.
Peace to this beautiful young woman and her family.
Thank you so much for your courage and strength to share Megans story, and advocate for change. Im so sorry for your loss, sending prayers and my love for all that loved her. May she rest in heavenly peace.
So sorry for your loss sending prayers your way